Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
  • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
  • B62D1/00—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle
  • B62D1/02—Steering controls, i.e. means for initiating a change of direction of the vehicle vehicle-mounted
  • B62D1/16—Steering columns
  • B62D1/18—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable
  • B62D1/19—Steering columns yieldable or adjustable, e.g. tiltable incorporating energy-absorbing arrangements, e.g. by being yieldable or collapsible
  • B62D1/195—Yieldable supports for the steering column
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
  • F16F—SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION
  • F16F7/00—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers
  • F16F7/12—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers using plastic deformation of members
  • F16F7/127—Vibration-dampers; Shock-absorbers using plastic deformation of members by a blade element cutting or tearing into a quantity of material; Pultrusion of a filling material

Definitions

• the present invention refers to a device intended for absorbing kinetic energy, which acts in the longitudinal direction of an elongated object.
• the invention refers to a device adapted to absorb kinetic energy, which is present in a steering column of a vehicle and which is released when the steering wheel at an abrupt retardation, such as at a collision against a rigid barrier, strives to keep on moving forward and also the force to which the steering wheel is subjected when it is hit by the body of a vehicle driver.
• the steering column which supports the steering wheel, or its attachment in the chassis of the vehicle, earlier has often been designed with two packs of slabs arranged longitudinally to each other, whereby the slabs in one of the packs with their ends in comb-form engage between the corresponding ends in the other pack, and which ends are mutually squeezed between each other by means of a bolt joint or the like, which creates a friction joint, which, when subjected to a heavy impact substantially in the longitudinal direction of the slabs, will give a braking effect, at the same time as it will permit the two packs of slabs under energy absorption to pivot about each other and the joint under energy absorption caused by the friction force of the joint.
• Such earlier known braking devices consist of several mutually interconnected components, and it is furthermore difficult to obtain an adjustment of the energy absorbing effect to a level adapted to the body posture and weight of the individual driver.
• the purpose of the present invention is to provide a device of the type initially described, which consists of comparatively few components, gives a high degree of safety for efficient energy absorption, permits an individual accommodation after the driver and is easy to adapt to a steering column, which is adjustable about a pivot point or axis, and such a device has been provided by means of the features defined in the characterizing part of the accompanying claim.
• Fig. 1 is a side view of a steering column device and a device according to the invention in a first embodiment, incorporating a latch device, a bearing housing and a prism portion,
• Fig. 2 is a side view of the device according to Fig. 1 as seen from the opposite side surface,
• Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the bearing housing according to
• FIG. 1 which shows the bearing housing as seen obliquely from the right hand side in Fig. 1,
• Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the latch device, which shows the side of the latch device facing the bearing housing and cooperating therewith,
• Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the device according to the invention with bearing housing as seen obliquely from the front in connection to the steering column, with an external bracket, which constitutes the latch device with the toothed joint provided between the latch device and the bearing housing according to Figs. 1 -4
• Fig. 6 is a view as seen from above, and which shows a device according to the invention, showing the prism portion in connection to the steering column in accordance with the invention.
• the invention is implemented in a preferred embodiment in connection to an adjustment device for a steering column, preferably for heavy vehicles such as trucks.
• trucks preferably for heavy vehicles such as trucks.
• the invention is not limited to trucks but can be used also in other types of vehicles, for instance passenger cars, construction machines, but also in other applications in separate motors, etcetera.
• the invention can be implemented in connection to other systems than vehicle steering wheels, where it is desirable to adjust the ability of absorbing kinetic energy, particularly at an abrupt retardation, such as at a collision.
• Fig. 1 shows a side view of a steering column 1 for a truck, and the components essential for a device 10 according to the invention, arranged in connection to the steering column.
• the device 10 incorporates in a preferred embodiment, i.a. a latch device 11, a bearing housing 12, a spiral spring 13, an attachment panel 14, a prism panel 15, a tension spring 16 and an attachment prism panel 17.
• the latch device 11 is attached to a lower, underlying part of the bearing housing 12 by means of a connecting element, such as a screw.
• the bearing housing 12 in turn is rigidly connected to the steering column 1.
• the spiral spring 13 At the lower end of the bearing housing 12 is provided the spiral spring 13, which is arranged in connection to a tilt centre, which serves as a substantially horizontal turning axis 2 for the steering column 1.
• the bearing housing 12 and the steering column 1 itself are pivotable as a unit about the turning axis 2, which is then positioned at right angle to the longitudinal axis of the steering column 1.
• the steering column 1 is adjustable in this manner not only regarding its inclination against the horizontal, but also in vertical direction.
• the same end of the bearing housing 12 is also movably arranged in connection to the projecting lower part of the prism panel 15.
• the attachment panel 14 is fixedly arranged along the upper side of the prism panel 15 and its end facing away from the steering column is fixedly attached to the car body (not further shown) of the vehicle.
• the prism part 15 is elongated and is arranged with one of its ends in connection to the lower overlaying part of the bearing housing 12.
• the attachment prism panel 17 is arranged along a part of the lower side of the prism part 15. Further parts incorporated in steering wheel and steering column 1, which are obvious for the man skilled in the art, but which are not essential for the invention, are not described more in detail here.
• the latch device 11 incorporates a first part 111 and a second part 112, as will be further described with reference to Fig. 4.
• Fig. 2 shows the device according to Fig. 1 in a side view from the opposite side as compared to Fig. 1, and from which can be seen that the latch device 11 and the bearing housing 12 are interconnected by means of the toothed connection, which is constituted by the toothed portions of the latch device 11 and the bearing housing 12.
• An eccentric member 18, contributes in a preferred embodiment in urging these toothed portions to a firm mutual engagement, even if such an engagement can be obtained also without the eccentric member 18.
• the eccentric member 18 is intended to increase the retaining force for the toothed connection, which consists of a toothed portion 113 on the latch device 11, and a second toothed portion 122 on the bearing housing 12, thus that the connection does not unmesh when acted upon by a collision force.
• the eccentric member 18 is arranged so that it extends internally between the latch device 11 and the lower underlying part of the bearing housing 12.
• a spring 19 is provided in a casing 191 in connection to the bearing housing 12.
• the spring 19 acts upon the eccentric member 18 and therefore on the toothed connection 113, 122 thus that this is maintained in firm engagement.
• the action of the spring 19 on the eccentric member 18 is terminated, e.g. by means of an air cylinder (not further shown), whereby it is possible to cause the engagement between the toothed portions 113 and 122 to be abrogated, whereupon the steering column can be tilted thus that an adjustability in vertical direction is permitted.
• FIG. 3 shows in perspective a portion of the bearing housing 12 and the steering column 1, as seen from the right hand side in Fig. 1, and with the latch device 11 removed.
• the bearing housing 12 has an external part 121, which is provided with an external toothed portion 122, which corresponds to and is intended to cooperate with the toothed portion 113 at the first part 111, which is moveable internally on the latch device 11.
• the bearing housing 12 is fixedly arranged on the external part 121, by means of at least a joint 123, e.g. a screw, which is arranged to break at a collision force of sufficient magnitude in accordance with what is said above.
• the external part 121 of the bearing housing 121 is provided with projecting edges 124 at both its longitudinal sides.
• Fig. 4 shows in a perspective view a portion of the latch device 11, which as can also be seen from Fig. 1, incorporates a first part 111 and a second part 112.
• the first part 111 is affixed to the second part 112 by means of a connecting member, such as a screw 115, but if the screw breaks under large impact stresses, which for instance can follow from a collision, the first part 111 is movably arranged in a recess in the second part 112, and on its side turned outwards, the first part is provided with an external toothed portion 113.
• a connecting member such as a screw 115
• the second part 112 forms the base of the latch device 11 and the recess in the goods 114 in the latch device 11 forms a longitudinal groove in which the first part 11 thus is movable in longitudinal direction of the latch device 11.
• the first part 111 is provided with projecting edges 116 with flutes, which give the projecting edges 116 a good strength.
• Fig. 5 is shown in a perspective view substantially corresponding to the position for Fig. 3, how the bearing housing 12 and the latch device 11 are arranged in relation to each other.
• Fig. 6 is shown in a view from above how the attachment panel 14 is fixedly attached to the upper side of the prism panel 15 by means of at least one joint.
• this joint incorporates four bolts 211 and four through- holes 212 in the attachment panel 14, and four through-holes in the prism panel 15, with a bolt for each pair of such holes.
• the joint furthermore incorporates washers 213 or the like.
• the holes in the prism panel 15 for each bolt 211 are preferably made traditionally circular.
• the holes 212 in the attachment panel 14 are made oblong and they are furthermore narrowing in longitudinal direction. The wider part of the holes 212 is provided nearest to the end of the prism part 15, which is adjacent to the bearing housing 12.
• the holes are narrowing in longitudinal direction towards the end of the prism part 15, which is fixedly attached to the car body. Furthermore, the wider part of the holes 212 as seen in longitudinal direction are at least so wide that the bolts 211 can be mounted therein without problems, and after mounting the bolts 211 are preferably firmly arranged in the substantially widest part of its associated elongated hole 212. Due to the narrowing extension of the longitudinal holes 212 from the initial position, the bolts 211 will be clamped at mutual displacement in longitudinal direction until the walls of the holes and/or the bolt shanks are deformed. As can be seen e.g. from Fig. 1, one end of a tension spring 16 is attached to the prism panel 15, which spring constitutes a counter balancing spring, which makes the device spring back after it has been pressed down.
• the steering wheel which is pointing towards the chest of the driver, will be hit by the driver, when the driver due to his kinetic energy will continue a forward motion towards the steering wheel.
• the steering wheel is arranged on a steering column 1.
• the screw 115 between the first 111 and the second parts 112 of the latch device 11 (Fig. 4) is initially exerted to such a big force that the screw shank breaks when the collision force exceeds a predetermined level.
• the first part 111 starts to move relative to the second part 112, which like the remainder of the latch device 11 is fixedly arranged in connection to the car body.
• the first, movable part 111 by aid of the projecting edges 116 will subject the second, immobile part 112 to cutting, and therefore to cutting material removal at least in an edge zone 117 between the said parts 111, 112, which are then in mutual mechanical contact.
• the cutting process means that kinetic energy in the first part 111 is absorbed, when the movement of the first part is retarded due to the consumption of energy in connection to the cutting material removal which takes place, and a braking of the motion of the first part 111 is consequently obtained. (In this manner the device 10 thus absorbs kinetic energy at a collision, thus that an efficient and resilient retardation of the live force hitting the steering wheel is achieved).
• the angle between steering column 1 and the vertical is reduced as the steering column pivots about the turning axis 2 in an upward motion as a consequence of the movement of the first part 111, which via the gear mesh between the toothed portions 113, 122 is in a rigid engagement with the bearing housing 12, which means that the bearing housing 12 and therefore also the steering column are displaced.
• the steering column is displaceable in vertical direction, for instance from the level of the belly of the driver to the chest of the driver.
• a second cutting process following the first cutting process, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, is initiated in that one further screw 123 (see Fig. 3) is subjected to breakage when the collision force exceeds a predetermined level, whereby the bearing housing 12 moves, whereas the part 121 provided externally on the bearing housing 12 is immobile, as it is fixedly attached to the latch device 11. Consequently the bearing housing 12 subjects the part 121, which is externally arranged thereon to a cutting action by means of the projecting edges 124 in at least an edge zone 125 between the parts 121, 12 mentioned, which are then in mutual mechanical contact.
• the angle between the steering column and the vertical is further reduced, as the bearing housing 12 which is rigidly supported on the steering column, will be displaced.
• the cutting processes and the deformation processes are arranged to occur at prescribed angles during the pivoting of the steering column towards and- past the vertical plane.
• the arrangement can be dimensioned to give at a collision an optional number of cutting processes in the contact zones between a plurality of parts in the device 10 according to the invention.
• These cutting processes can be arranged to take place substantially at the same time or at a particular predetermined sequence as stated above.
• the mutual displacement between the parts forming part of the device 10 can also be constituted of at least one rotational movement, one translatory movement or a combined rotational and translatory movement.
• the cutting processes furthermore can be arranged to occur at least at one predetermined position or at least at one angle during the mutual displacement between the parts.
• the lower overlaying part of the bearing housing 12 is adapted to hit the prism part 15 at the upward pivoting motion of the steering column.
• a collision with the prism part which consequently is subjected to an energy absorbing deformation in connection with the cutting processes, see Fig. 6.
• a further deformation process - a so called "crash-slide-process" - is initiated before or in connection to the above mentioned cutting processes in the preferred embodiment, when the device 10 and the retardation force tend to move the steering wheel with the steering column mainly in the longitudinal direction of the attachment panel towards the car body.
• the bolts 212 which form part of the connection between the attachment panel 14 and the prism panel 15 are thus urged towards the narrowing part of the longitudinal hole 212 in the attachment panel. In this manner is effected a retarding and energy absorbing deformation of the holes 212.
• the parts incorporated in the device 10 can be formed from different materials having substantially different strength, which can contribute in an advantageous manner to the mentioned cutting and deformation processes.
• the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown but can be varied in a number of different ways, e.g. by combination of two or more of the embodiments shown, without departing from the scope of the attached claims, and the device and the method can be implemented in a number of different manners depending on application, functional units, requirements and specifications, etcetera.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Transportation (AREA)
• Steering Controls (AREA)
• Vibration Dampers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=20286586

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2002
  • 2002-01-04 SE SE0200018A patent/SE523960C2/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2003
  • 2003-01-03 DE DE60301486T patent/DE60301486T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-01-03 AU AU2003201790A patent/AU2003201790A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-01-03 AT AT03700636T patent/ATE303280T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-01-03 EP EP03700636A patent/EP1470036B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-01-03 WO PCT/SE2003/000007 patent/WO2003066413A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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